San Antonio Spurs as those basketball experts wanted to induce us to believe, they are the more seasoned team and would not make stupid and silly moves down the stretch. As expected Duncan routed every single coverage defense thrown at him, he’s like a machine doing every fundamental move in the book of basketball. Parker was too quick in the lane and Ginobili was getting his slashing move at any time he wanted. Their defensive execution was great as their offense was effective too. Kobe was just watching them and his team continue to splutter in the first two quarters. SA Spurs took the 1st half by a seven point margin.
At the break, the Spurs team displaying very charming smiles and were too contented with their accomplishment in the first half. The Lakers team seems not troubled by those grins, continues the shoot around before the third.
In the first half Kobe tried his very best to let his young Lakers team mates feel the game in the 1st two quarter and they were down 20 in the middle of the third canto, however Kobe was now fully agitated; and a different Kobe was in the game, the very aggressive one knowing fully well that his team needed him now. He took every available shot given to him, slashed in the paint and dished to team mates inside and rattled the whole Spurs team including those in the sidelines. He was deliberate in his moves but was intense and the Lakers team slowly inched their way to the match. He ignited a 12-0 run eating the almost insurmountable lead of SA. In the fourth a fold up of the Spurs was very evident and the Lakers continue the onslaught and the dominations of the board. At this juncture you can see the real MVP stands up, does his thing and was completely dictating the tempo of the game as what was expected of him.
The well oiled machine of the city of San Antonio just broke down in the middle of the heavy traffic in the busy Hollywood Avenue.
Good post. I was on the road and listened to the game. When the Lakers were down 20, I thought, let's just get it down to 10 by the end of the quarter. Kobe got the team on his back and did what MVP's are supposed to do: take over big games.
Will San Antonio bounce back? I expect them to, and give the Lakers a tough series before it's over. I still think it's going at least six games, with the Lakers winning and advancing to the Finals.
Hey buddy... as long as you're there backing me up, i will not be afraid with those haters.
Kobe is the MVP, he was too great a basketball player to be denied. Only the Lakers team with KB24 on board can do this thing, coming from behind on a 20pts deficit and get the W in the dying seconds of the 4th.
Jon.... It will take time for Spurs to forget this debacle, wondering how they lost the game with a 20pts. deficit in the middle of the third. The MVP stood up and show the naysayer he really is the man. Man... Kobe was indeed the difference, the huge difference between these two great contending teams.
Hi friend,
It's always tougher when a team tries to repeat and go for a higher number of titles like with the Bulls in their last few years. The Spurs had a rough plane flight and should adjust. I like them in six games. We'll see. Best wishes and nice post friend. fenfan
The Spurs got everything they wanted last night, but just couldn't finish the game. If they play the same way tomorrow, and Ginobili doesn't flop figuratively, they could steal game 2. But the Lakers proved they could win a Spurs-tempoed game, and that will be a morale booster. Congrats to them.
thats the key there...and why the lakers will win it all..b/c they can win at any pace...any way....
put simply...they are the only team that can do that..
Yeah i agree, really tough to win a game when you suffered difficulties on the way to the game coupled with little time to rest the weary minds.
The Spurs played excellent most of the time and TD gave his all, unfortunately they were not able to sustained it and folded up. Sometimes you have to look for reasons why it went that way and plane difficulties is the most logical reason for all of it.
Having said that, the ascendancy of Kobe at yesterday's game cannot be downgraded, he played like a true MVP to the fullest meaning of it.
San Antonio played very well especially Duncan, he got 30pts and 18caroms. No sign of fatigue on his part, however, the other element of the big 3 did not show up down the stretch and whoever was assigned to Bryant was torched, humiliated and mortified by the MVP.
"thats the key there...and why the lakers will win it all..b/c they can win at any pace...any way....
put simply...they are the only team that can do that.. "
Game One was a "feeling it out" game for both teams.
San Antonio came with their B-game, as the bench disappeared and Ginobili couldn't find his stroke. The Spurs seemed to lose energy towards the end.
L.A. came with their B-minus game, as Lamar and Fisher were both ineffective offensively and the Lakers defense was asleep in the first half. They didn't wake up until Kobe said it was time to get out of bed.
Game Two will be a more accurate barometer of how this series will go because I fully expect both teams to come with their A-games.
It is a pleasure having you here buddy, I thought you'll never show up. Mamba showed us why is he is the MVP and the best basketball player in the world at this point in time. He will be there anytime he wanted to.
NWHATDHECK: It is great to be up in this series, considering Phil is a mind-boggling 40-0 when he wins game one. But at the same time, streaks come to an end at some point so I don't want to jinx anybody.
I'm looking forward to how the Lakers come out of the gates on Friday. It will show me a lot about the team's willingness to play intense basketball for a full 48 minutes against a powerhouse squad.
I am a die hard Lakers fan. I am Filipino basketball enthusiast and love the game so much.
I am 28 years old male, studied and finish architecture at Mapua University here in the Philippines and presently practising my profession.
Go Lakers!!!!
